iPolitics AM: Scheer set to make the case for reopening the House as May 25 deadline looms

Conservative party leader Andrew Scheer gives a press conference about the government's measures to help Canadians with the effects of COVID-19 pandemic from West Block in Ottawa on Mar. 24, 2020. Andrew Meade/iPolitics

Speaking with reporters last week, Scheer seemed to dismiss the possibility that his party would back a plan to maintain the current hybrid schedule, which allows for two virtual sessions and one limited in-person sitting per week, which, he argued, Is “certainly no replacement” for face-to-face interaction.

“Elected members of Parliament come here to be a voice for their constituents, to hold this government to account, and that needs to resume on May 25,” he insisted.

As per the advisory, he’ll also explain how, in his view, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government are “letting down” Canadians — a claim that dominated the Conservatives’ COVID-19 message track since last week.

For his part, Trudeau is expected to deliver his daily on-camera update from outside Rideau Cottage later this morning — after Scheer’s appearance, it’s worth noting, which will presumably allow him to respond to the call for a return to in-person parliamentary business. (11 AM)

After that wraps up, he’ll fire up his webcam for an extended virtual meeting of the SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, during which he’ll take questions from Scheer and other party leaders. (12 Noon)

Also on his official itinerary: Calls with Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni and alternate Israeli prime minister Benny Gantz, as well as an online get-together of the United Nations Eastern European Regional Group.

Back in the precinct, Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet will also make himself available to reporters following the virtual special committee meeting, at which point he’ll likely be asked whether he intends to support the Conservatives in their bid to reopen the Commons. (2 PM)

ON AND AROUND THE HILL

Royal Canadian Air Force officials hold a “technical briefing” on efforts to recover the Cyclone helicopter that crashed off the coast of Greece last month, killing all six Air Force members on board. (3 PM)

ON THE VIRTUAL COMMITTEE CIRCUIT

The prime minister’s chosen candidate to serve as Canada’s next auditor general, Karen Hogan, will make her debut appearance before PUBLIC ACCOUNTS, which is set to hold its first meeting — via webcam, of course — since the mid-March parliamentary shutdown to review her nomination before it is formally approved by the House. (11 AM – 1 PM)

Over at HEALTH, Chief public health officer Theresa Tam delivers a status update on the ongoing campaign to curtail the spread of the virus during a briefing session that will also feature presentations from Chief Science Advisor Mona Nemer, as well as representatives from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Centre for Virology. (5 – 7 PM)

Meanwhile, FINANCE hears from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation president Evan Siddall and hosts a panel discussion with senior executives from the aerospace, energy and food processing sector, as well as the Public Policy Forum and YMCA Canada. (3:30 – 7 PM)

On the Senate side, NATIONAL FINANCE examines the underlying mechanics of the COVID emergency benefit delivery system with senior officials from the Canada Revenue Agency. (2:30 PM)

Due to the ongoing parliamentary shutdown, most House and Senate committee meetings are suspended until regular sittings resume.